Doubts on 2009 Tokyo motor show

Rumblings that the Tokyo show may not make the cut in 2009 are being heard throughout the industry as antsy car-makers review diminishing annual budgets.

According to some sources, a number of Japanese car-makers, even though they have signed up for this year, are suggesting cancellation of the 2009 show might be a good idea.

It has also been reported that numerous companies outside Japan have signalled their intentions not to participate this year as the current financial crisis grips ever firmer.

However, according to Japan's Automobile Manufacturers' Association (JAMA), cancelling the 2009 show would be an unwise move that would not help the industry's plight -- although it does concede that any running of the event would be at a smaller scale than usual.

According to a report in Automotive News, JAMA executive director and secretary general said "A couple companies are not in favour of organizing the show under these conditions, but that is not JAMA's opinion."

At this stage all the Japanese majors, as well as German car-makers, have signed up for Tokyo 2009, even though the show's standing has slipped recently in the face of increasing competition from other international events (such as China) and a shrinking domestic market.

JAMA has said the decision on the status of the 2009 Tokyo show will be made early in February.

The doubts over Japan's premier motor show come as Australia acts to rationalise its capital city motor shows. Sydney and Melbourne are planning to alternate their shows annually (more here), while the Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth have all pulled the pin on their planned 2009 events, saying they will be back bigger and better in 2010 (more here).